The ancient Subramanyar temple at Enkan
is located near Nannilam near Thanjavur (Koradacheri).
The presiding deity here is Bhramapureeswarar (Shiva) although the Arumugaswamy
shrine is of greater significance as in Sikkal
and Ettukkudi and has been glorified by the
Tiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar.
Legend has it that the four
faced Bhrama with 8 eyes (Enn Kann) worshipped Shiva
here, hence the name Enn Kann.The shrine to Bhramapureeswarar is
associated with Saint Appar.
There is another interesting legend associated with this shrine. The sculptor
who made the Subramanyar image of Sikkal was awe struck by its quality
that he vowed that no other such image should be made, and cut off his right thumb.
He was then prompted by Subramanyar in a dream, to fashion
another image for the shrine at Ettukkudi. He followed the instructions
in his dream, and when the image was complete, blinded himself so that he could not create
images any more.
Another dream prompted him to create a third image of Skanda
mounted on a peacock with the aid of a woman, when his chisel inflicted injury upon her;
the blood that gushed forth splashed over his eyes, and in a flash he recovered his
eyesight miraculously, and in a spate of poetry revered Skanda. The first
phrase that he uttered upon recovering his eyesight was 'En Kann' - hence
the name of the temple.
A beautiful image of Shanmukhar adorns the Shanmukhanathar Deva
Sabha. The image with 6 faces is intricately carved. There are small holes in
each of the 12 ears, with provision for decoration with ear rings.
The sancta to Bhramapureeswarar and Bhramanayaki are east facing ones. The Shanmukhanathar
Deva Sabha is located behind these, facing south. There are also shrines to
Dakshinamurthy, Natarajar Sivakami, Kasi Viswanathar, Bhairavar, Arunachaleswarar and
other deities here.
The theerthams here are Netra Pushkarini, Saravana Poikai, Vriddha Kaveri, Bhrama
Theertham and Kumara Theertham.
Festivals: The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Thai.
Skanda Sashti is celebrated in the tamil month of Aippasi. Other
festivals here include Kartikai Deepam, Arudra Darisanam, Maasi Magam VAikasi Vishakam and
Aadi Pooram.